The StatsSA QLFS publication for 2021Q4 reports that South Africa’s official unemployment rate increased to 35,3%, the highest rate since the beginning of the QLFS survey. While there has been minor progress in economic growth, economic recovery in 2021 was sluggish and further accompanied by increased costs of living, and ultimately limited job opportunities. This is reflected in most local economies like Durban that are struggling to create employment at sufficient levels. This data story will discuss this rising unemployment and how job creation is not keeping up with population growth, resulting in people losing hope of finding work and leaving the labour force. It will also look at the issue of rising unemployment amongst the youth, and finally the state of unemployment in Durban. This datastory primarily focuses on South Africa due to availability challenges of of Durban data.